Every year the U.S Postal Service partners with food banks within their service area in order to raise awareness on the hunger gap and promote donorship among the community.
The initiative, known as Stamp Out Hunger, began as a pilot program under the National Association of Letter Carriers in 1991 and due to its success has grown into a nationwide food drive. The annual campaign takes place every second Saturday of May, in which letter carriers retrieve non-perishable food items donated by residents in their mail delivery route. Donations made in Webb county were received by one of two beneficiaries, the Laredo Regional Food Bank and The South Texas Food Bank. The latter also received donations from its seven additional service areas.
The South Texas Food Bank began preparing for the campaign in late April by releasing a series of promotional posts on their official social media accounts. Posts ranged from flyers released by the official campaign to in-house designs focused on highlighting details of the event, and encouraging community engagement.
The peak of the campaign's promotion occurred on May 7th, when the U.S postal office located at 2700 E Saunders, hosted a proclamation in which Laredo Mayor
Dr. Victor Trevino officially recognized the Stamp Out Hunger Campaign before Press, United Way, Laredo Regional Food Bank, and the South Texas Food Bank.
This year’s campaign was in full swing the following Saturday, May 11th, as mail carriers across the 8 county service area collected food items left by residents who chose to participate in donating to their respective food banks.
“This campaign comes at a crucial time as it offers an additional boost in our inventory as we prepare for the summer months’ Said South Texas Food Bank CEO, Alma Boubel.
The South Texas Food Bank received a total of 5,200 lbs. of food from donors who participated in this year's Stamp Out Hunger food drive.
“We are so thankful to the postal service and to our communities for leading and taking part in this initiative. Your donations are a huge help in providing for our neighbors in need,” said South Texas Food Bank CEO, Alma Boubel. •